indie spunk: UNFILTERED

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Quick update coming atcha from SXSW! Yes we recorded this in a hotel vestibule on the way to the airport back to LAX, and YES we had an amazing, whirlwind experience over the last 4 days.

Here's what happened...

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No Spoilers: We stop talking about "Wuthering Heights" at 31:30

Welcome back to Indie Spunk: Unfiltered. This week, Izzy and Beck playing a full round of "Am I the Asshole?" — filmmaker edition. From recasting your best friend three weeks before rehearsal to an investor who wants to make your protagonist "more likable", this episode is the honest conversation the industry pretends it doesn't need to have.

In this episode:

• [00:08:30] You cast your best friend. She bombed the table read. Now what? The hard truth about theatre vs. on-screen performance, why table reads can still be part of the audition, and how to have the conversation that might save your film...and maybe your friendship.

• [00:14:30] Your editor wants to cut 80% of a supporting character who relocated for your film. Do you protect the actor or the movie? Plus the one thing you can do that will soften the blow.

• [00:18:30] Your financier covers 40% of your budget and wants to rewrite your ending. How to get on the same page without losing your soul, what Promising Young Woman taught us about studio compromise, and why "no" might be the most powerful word in your arsenal.

• [00:25:30] You've been telling investors a big name is "interested." Their agent read the logline. Is that a lie? The exact language to use when you're building buzz before you have the receipts.

• [00:28:30] Your film is bold, messy, and "not commercial." Is it irresponsible to make it just for festival cred? Yikes...limiting belief alert!!

• [00:31:30] Recs of the week!

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"Is it unethical to ask people to work for free on your film if you have $0 budget? What's the line between collaboration and exploitation??"This week, we’re answering your questions about unpaid labor in indie filmmaking, when saying "no budget" is honest or it's actually just lazy, how to avoid being a dictator director while still prioritizing efficiency, and whether or not you're less of a filmmaker if you don't watch as many films as your peers.Our motto: If you want to build a career in this industry, how you treat people on your first $0 project will follow you into your first $1M one.In this episode we get into:– Camera tests for our feature film.– Taking financing meetings at SXSW– Our thoughts on the Independent Spirit AwardsWe also talk about why we desperately need technology that lets us erase our memory so that we can watch "The Matrix" again for the first time.... :DIf you’re trying to make something with nothing — listen before you hit “send” on that crew text.Get Anonymous Advice On The Podcast: ⁠https://forms.gle/sMWovGuD8JC9Crxu7⁠Apply for Filmmaker Breakthrough Mentorship: https://indiespunk.thrivecart.com/filmmaker-breakthrough-2026/Join our Filmmaker Database to be considered for our films: https://indiespunk.myflodesk.com/filmmaker-databaseSend us a DM on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/indiespunk ⁠& ⁠https://www.instagram.com/beckbennion

This week, we’re answering your questions about making our feature film, James on Rage. From where we are in the funding process, how industry connections actually unfold (it's def not how you think), and the story behind the A-list actor who read our script… and hated it (lol).

We’re transparently pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to build a feature from the ground up as two female filmmakers who were not raised in the industry. It's the momentum, the rejection, and the moments that have tested our belief that we CAN and WILL make films.

We get into:

• Where James on Rage currently stands in the funding process
• How A-list connections can happen in ways you least expect them
• What it feels like when someone you really really respect doesn’t respond to your work
• How we process feedback without losing confidence in the project & what we're trying to say

We also talk about Izzy Stevens vs. Izzie Stevens, thoughts on Hamnet, our icks and recs for the week, & hilarious chit chat from ya gals. If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to get a feature film off the ground, this episode is for you.

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• Send us a DM on instagram: @indiespunk  & @beckbennion
  

We looooove a pop culture moment just as much as we loooooove asking each other questions about things we might not know about each other, and this episode has BOTH! So, buckle the f*ck up...this is a wild one.We’re covering the strangest acting gig Izzy's ever gotten (psychics and stalkers included), what's been going on in Hollywood legal drama, a dash of religious deconstruction, award show hot takes, and the most ICONIC birthday cake order of all time. Beck & Izzy spiral through:– What’s a random ‘side quest’ era of your life that sounds fake but is 100% real?– If you could relive one year of your life, what year would it be and why? – Would you rather go back and talk to your 16 year old self or go to the future and talk to your 80 year old self? and why?– If one person from your past wrote a book about you, who would it be and what would the title be?And of course… the origin story of The P*ssy Wagon Cake (you HAVE to tune in for this at least).Get Anonymous Advice On The PodcastApply for Filmmaker Breakthrough MentorshipJoin our Filmmaker Database to be considered for our films.Send us a DM on instagram: @indiespunk & @jumpsuitpictures

Is the film industry dead or are you just talking to the wrong people???

This week we’re answering a question from a recent film school grad who’s looking around at working professionals and seeing… exhaustion, cynicism, and people quietly planning their exits. Cool cool cool. So how the hell are you supposed to stay inspired when the people seemingly *ahead of you* look defeated?

Beck & Izzy get real about industry burnout, shaping the industry OUR WAY, and why it's okay to feel shaky for a moment...but that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream. We talk about the filmmakers we wouldn't hire again, how the "it's so hard" thinking can block your progress, and why your attitude can matter wayyyyy more than your résumé.If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re crazy for still wanting this life… this one’s for you.

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Ahhhh rejection. In all it's most glorious forms. This week we get alllll up in the FACE of rejection (incl. sharing Beck's literal rejection email received at 6am on the day of recording. Yup.)

In this episode, Beck & Izzy break down real listener questions about being passed over, ghosted, and politely shut down by the people who were supposed to say yes. We’re talking film scripts that keep getting “we loved it, but it’s not right for us,” reps who block opportunities “for your own good,” investors who seem interested until suddenly they’re not, and the special kind of pain that comes from watching someone else land the thing you thought would have your name on it.

We get into the real question underneath every rejection: do you pivot, persist, follow up — or let it go?

Get Anonymous Advice On The Podcast: https://forms.gle/sMWovGuD8JC9Crxu7Apply for Filmmaker Breakthrough Mentorship: https://indiespunk.thrivecart.com/filmmaker-breakthrough-2026/

Join our Filmmaker Database to be considered for our films: https://indiespunk.myflodesk.com/filmmaker-database

Send us a DM on instagram:   @indiespunk   &   @jumpsuitpictures  

We’re getting personal! Making tough relationship choices, thinking of breaking up with a close collaborator, pitching yourself to be a bridesmaid after ghosting the group chat for film dreams... If you're struggling to set boundaries and communicate to the people in your life, tune in to this episode and pay attention to Beck & Izzy's straight-up, no BS wisdom. They've navigated these exact situations and are not shy about telling you the cold hard truth that sometimes, you gotta reach for the door, because your dreams matter more. Plus an in-depth breakdown of the Golden Globes weirdness (and wins)! Let's go.

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